jkswimmer, I use a 6'6" boat rod with conventional reel while trolling. I have the drag set tight. (To tight at times since I have broken far to may rods this way)
One consideration is to have a rod long enough to reach across the front of the yak in case the fish goes under the yak. To fight the fish just point the rod tip to the front of the yak and go for a "Nantucket sleigh ride"
I have never tipped with the drag to tight, I have spooled to reels with the drag set and not been able to tighten it anymore.
Nils